Steve Lawler Interview
Steve dishes the dirt on leading Bez astray and his upcoming album.
Steve Lawler is a definitive DJ and producer; a tastemaker whose sets combine quality house music with dancefloor-rocking drive. From running illegal parties aged 17 underneath the M42, to remixing the title music to a Hollywood film, Lawler has deservedly staked his claim amongst the DJ A-list. On the way up he held down residencies at some of the world's most infamous venues - from Cafe Mambo in Ibiza to Cream in Liverpool - before firmly planting his box of records at The End for his only London residency.
On Friday 25th January, Viva Harlem Nights celebrates its 6th Birthday, with a secret surprise guest joining Steve Lawler in The End’s main room. We managed to catch him en-route to his weekend’s gigs, to interview him about the residency and his plans for the future.
Endclub.com: Hi Steve, how are you today?
Steve Lawler: I'm good, just finished a session in the studio and now I'm on my way to Dubai, got a gig there tonight, then off to Beirut tomorrow...
You’ve just come back from a tour of North and South America and Canada – how was that?
It was great, I chose not to do as many dates as I usually do in a tour like this, because they were all big shows, including the New Years Eve show, which was at the Montreal Bell Centre, a huge show with around 10,000 people. I have done this twice now, amazing production and sound make a great way for a lot of people to see their New Year in! Then I spent a few days in Mexico near Tulum relaxing and taking some time out after a huge gig on the beach in Playa Del Carmen.
The 6th anniversary of Viva Harlem Nights is just around the corner. What have been your highlights of the night so far?
There has been so many. I think it was the 4th birthday, I had Rowetta come down and do a live PA, performing a single that I made with her a long time ago, and because she was there, a few of the Happy Mondays were in tow. Bez was with us, he'd just won Big Brother literally the night before - hilarious behaviour as the next day he was supposed to appear on Richard & Judy, but instead he was watching it from our hotel room!
How do you think your sound has evolved during that time?
Well actually not that much, my sound still really remains the same, it’s the music out there that changes. Generally, what I am about, what Viva Harlem Nights is about, is house music; I start off playing very deep, and it slowly builds throughout the night, up to the point of techno. One of the stand-out things for me is that I never really go above 126 bpm, this way everything keeps its groove, its warmth and sexiness, which in itself defines the sound. Tracks I play now – as I did 6 years ago when Harlem nights started - are deep, dark, tech house, up to groovy techno with some old school house thrown in at the end. There have also been many occasions when I have ended the night on a personal favourite song like Street Spirit by Radiohead, Angels of Harlem by U2, Lucky Man by The Verve, or Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan. Viva Harlem Nights is the kind of night where I can do this. It‘s such a high for me to know that the regular crowd like good music, period, and are not fazed by trends nor are narrow minded. I have said it before - playing Harlem Nights for me is like coming home.
What can you tell us about the special guest that will be joining you on the 26th?
Hahaha! Nothing! You’ll have to wait and see.
Which producers and DJs currently really excite you?
Producers; there are SO many! Really too many to mention, but there is definitely some amazing music out there, the last few years have been very exiting in the world of house music. DJs - I don’t often get the chance to hear other DJ's play out. I only really do at one place and that’s every summer at DC10 in Ibiza. I really enjoyed the music policy there a couple of years ago - deep stripped back grooves all day long - suits me fine sir! But even now that’s changed, so it‘s really difficult to say at the moment.
Where do you think dance music is heading in the next five to ten years?
It will do the same it always has; moving forward, but always looking back. Great music will come out and start a new ‘trend’ and DJs will be accused of jumping on a bandwagon just because they want to play the music that is good – hahaha! It always comes full circle; what will happen in the next 5 - 10 years will pretty much have happened before, but just with newer technology.
One of the things that I predict, and I think it’s a positive thing, is that the DJ circuit will become more of an artist circuit, in other words DJs playing sets that are majority their own productions, and using more technology to give it a live performance feel, remixing music and editing tracks live. It can be done now with Ableton Live, but also with extra kit in the DJ Booth to give a more hands on feel, rather than controlling from a computer. It’s already been done by the likes of Daft Punk, but I think eventually this will become the only way of performing. The digital age came upon us quicker than we all predicted it would, and it has been sometimes difficult to let go of the old school DJing with vinyl, but the digital age has so many benefits. It means you can do so much more when you perform; I am constantly looping and editing when I play, and due to the abilities you have with Serato Scratch and Pioneer CD players, it’s already almost like performing as opposed to putting on a record and simply playing it.
What would be your dream line-up for Viva Harlem Nights across 3 rooms?
Room 1 would have to be The Doors, The Verve, Baby Shambles, Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Happy Mondays, One Dove and James. In room 2 I’d have Carl Craig, Richie Hawtin, Marshall Jefferson, Metro Area, Damian Lazarus, Clive Henry and Livio.
Room 3 would be Angelo Badalamenti, Scott Walker, The Orb and Andrew Weatherall. And I would certainly be on the dancefloor, front and centre! What a night of music that would be!
Is there a Steve Lawler original artist album in the pipeline?
I can reveal for the first time that yes, there is. I am currently working on my album - I have no idea when it will be ready, all I can tell you is to expect the unexpected. The album is something that’s extremely personal to me, and it’s really important that this record is something that will stand the test of time. There will be some vocal tracks, a couple from myself and some others guest vocalists.
I’m just about to release some tracks that are singles, but not from my album, for different labels; I have a track called 'Femme Fatale' which will be coming out on Ovum some time this year, and a track called '21st Century Ketchup' coming out on Sci-Tek also some time this year. My next release to hit the shelves in February is 'Sleepwalking' which is coming out on Tsuba Records. Also expect more from the SL Project, where I collaborate with another producer. I have a couple of new tracks that I haven't decided what to do with yet - 'Heidi', 'Distrait' and 'Pills in Plethora'. Production wise, 2008 is now when I concentrate on my album.
What else does 2008 hold for Steve Lawler?
Aside from working on the above mentioned album, at some point I have to put together my new mix compilation 'VIVA Toronto' which will be released in July this year, followed by an extensive world tour throughout the summer, covering Australia, Asia, USA, South America, Canada, Europe and Eastern Europe, along with several festival dates. There will also be the announcement of a new summer residency in Ibiza, so watch this space…
Published: 18/01/2008
